Luke the Knife (w/ Mike Greenfield) | 04.19.2013 | LIVE at the Union Transfer | Philadelphia, PA

Luke the Knife Makes Philly Debut at City’s Newest Venue

Focus 4 Design

Union Transfer | 04.19.2013

Words & Photos by: Ali Kramen

This past Friday I finally got the chance to check out Union Transfer, which opened in Philly about a year and a half ago. High-energy electro-rock band Future Rock was scheduled to take the stage that night. Future Rock is always a fun, upbeat time – their music often paints a picture of smiling, dancing, rockin’ robots in my mind. Although the turnout was lighter than I had expected, the trio put on quite a show which highlighted many of Union Transfer’s best qualities. The band’s lights and LED strips covered the walls in colorful hues, bringing out the ornate details and architecture of the historic building (which was once a railroad baggage depot). And the raised back area complete with bar provided optimal viewing for those twenty-one and over who preferred a less crowded space and plenty of places to put down a drink and dance. The sound quality was superb regardless of where you chose to stand and the music had concert-goers dancing both on the main floor and in the bar area, all with smiles on their faces.

However, I must confess….this was one of those shows I didn’t go to for the headliner. As much as I enjoy Future Rock, I faced the dismal, rainy weather not for Future Rock, but for the first Philadelphia performance of Luke the Knife. Luke the Knife is the DJ project of Lotus guitarist and keys player Luke Miller, and for this performance he had Lotus drummer Mike Greenfield sitting in. I saw LtK’s East Coast debut in New York City back in January, which featured Lotus percussionist Chuck Morris on drums. I was excited to see the change up in drummers, as well as the unleashing of the new project on one of Lotus’s biggest fan bases.

The wet conditions, combined with a number of competing shows at other venues that evening, perhaps provided a disincentive for people to come out that night. However, when Luke and Mike took the stage, those on the main floor made up for the limited attendance with their intensity. Without a doubt, the crowd was into the set LtK threw down that evening, which included a range of remixes diverse in generation and genre – from Deadmau5 to Neon Indian to 80s gem “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough by Michael Jackson to 70s classic Le Freak (a.k.a. the “awwww freak out!” song), all with that funky disco flair that characterizes LtK’s sound. I’d say those present danced just as hard for Luke the Knife as they did for Future Rock later that night, if not harder. I am almost surprised fans didn’t break out into an old-fashioned disco line.

The musicians seemed to have just as much fun as the fans, too. Luke seemed completely relaxed and in his groove on stage – he was having fun, right down to the mini disco ball hanging around his neck. Mike, as always, proved himself to be nothing less than the Green Machine, rapidly killing his drum set while expertly keeping the beat. He got this half-ferocious, dominating look in his face whenever he was really nailing it, which made me smile more than once. I left the venue that night glad to have ventured into the messiness of April’s showers to be a part of the experience.

Catch LtK at Sonic Bloom Festival in Georgetown, CO and the Electric Forest Festival in Rothbury, MI in June. Keep an eye out on his Facebook page for additional appearances. If you have a chance to catch an upcoming show, it’s definitely worth checking out.

UPDATE: If you are in the DC area Luke the Knife has announced a last minute show at the Liv Nighclub in Washington. It’s being billed a “extra long” set, so get your dancing shoes on!!